I don’t know about you, vinas, but I love to travel. I love to explore new places, visit tourist attractions, and uncover hidden gems of new cities. Unfortunately, though, being a young adult with friends who are living separate lives, I don’t always have a travel buddy to go with. Instead of putting my plans on hold, I decided it was time for some solo adventures. Nowadays, I think I prefer solo trips. Everything you do is according to your schedule and your likes and interests. So vinas, if you want to gear up for your first solo trip, I’m here to offer friendly advice. Follow these quick tips and you’ll be having the time of your life.
RESEARCH. RESEARCH. RESEARCH.
If you’re going to a brand new city all by yourself, it’s important to do as much research as possible! You should search for lodging and transportation deals. It’s important to know which neighborhoods have the best night-life and attractions. Figure out how to use the transit systems and where the best local spots are. Doing this allows you to make the most out of each day when traveling. I once went to New York and spent 75% of the trip inside because I didn’t plan well. I’ll never make that mistake again, and hopefully this warning can help you to avoid it, too.
PACK LIGHT, LADIES
I’m a natural over-packer. I’m the type of person to pack for an East Coast storm when taking a summer trip to San Francisco. No matter the location, it’s always important to pack light. At the end of the day, if you need something, you can always shop for it at a local store. It also leaves plenty of room in your suitcases if you decide to go on a shopping trip mid-vacation.
SAFETY FIRST
Being a vina all by yourself in a new city can be a little intimidating. I want to believe that there’s mostly good people out there in the world, but after listening to many crime podcasts, I’ve learned that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Take all the necessary precautions before going on a solo-trip. Make sure you share your location with loved ones before you leave. Give them your flight information, the address of your hotel or, if you rent out an AirBnB, the host name – even a copy of your itinerary. When meeting new people, try to remain in public and open areas. (Hint: good and honest people will do whatever it takes to make sure you feel secure and safe.)
BE OPEN TO NEW FRIENDS
So maybe you don’t have a friend to go with or know anyone in the city you’re visiting, but you’d still like someone to share an experience with or have someone show you around. Well allow me to introduce Hey!VINA’s teleport option. Hey!VINA is already a rad, free app, but, with a small fee to upgrade to the premium option, you’re able to use this cool tool to pin point yourself in a different location. That means if you’re a California girl like me trying to visit Texas for the first time, you can pinpoint yourself in Texas and get a head start on making new friends in a different area. Even if you don’t meet up with them, you can get tips on how to navigate the new city from a local. Beyond the app, I’ve found that there is always friendly and amazing people in cities who are looking to converse and chill – of course, always use your better judgement vinas.
That’s it babes! Keep these four helpful tips in mind the next time you plan a solo trip. Oh and don’t forget to take lots of pictures to document your kick-ass vacation!
Some adventures are better with friends. Download Hey! VINA today to meet your next travel buddy.
VINAZINE 